Impaired Water - Root River (Root River)
Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
SE03
2900
25.80 - 43.69
17.89
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
This segment of Root River has been on the state's 303(d) impaired waters list since 1998 for Total Suspended Solids and Total Phosphorus. This segment was evaluated and listed for phosphorus and biology in 2014; phosphorus levels were found to be too high, which was reflected in poor bug community health. High phosphorus levels were confirmed each cycle.
Chloride was evaluated every two years between 2014 and 2024. Chloride levels were found to be too high, which can be harmful to plant, bug, and fish communities. This stream is covered by the following restoration plan and was classified as Category 5W as a result: Root River Watershed Restoration Plan (expires 2024).
Listing Details
Pollutant
Chloride
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Acute Aquatic Toxicity, Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
2014-157
Listing Date
4/1/2014
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle and chloride sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date
1/21/2014

Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle and chloride sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM chronic and acute listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date
8/20/2015

Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new chloride sample data exceed 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date
4/11/2017

Impaired Water Notes
This stream is covered by the following restoration plan and was classified as Category 5W as a result: Root River Watershed Restoration Plan (expires 2024).
Date
8/1/2019

Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2022 listing cycle; new chloride sample data exceed 2022 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date
5/26/2021

 
Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Degraded Biological Community, Low DO
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
405
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Based on the total phosphorus criteria excursions and the corroborating biological assessment, degraded biological community impairment was added to the existing impaired water listing in 2012.
Date
8/30/2011

Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category).
Date
1/21/2014

Impaired Water Notes
This stream is covered by the following restoration plan and was classified as Category 5W as a result: Root River Watershed Restoration Plan (expires 2024).
Date
8/1/2019

 
Pollutant
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Low DO
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
405
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
This stream is covered by the following restoration plan and was classified as Category 5W as a result: Root River Watershed Restoration Plan (expires 2024).
Date
8/1/2019